Rays clinch best spring training record in majors with 3-0 win over Mets

Garza sharp in Rays’ victory over Mets

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Matt Garza pitched five scoreless innings in his final tunep for the regular season, helping the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Mets 4-2 on Friday night to clinch the best spring training record in the major leagues.

Garza allowed one hit, walked two and struck out six. Three other pitchers limited the Mets to one hit before Mike Jacobs broke up a shutout bid with a two-run homer off Lance Cormier in the ninth.

Pat Burrell drove in Tampa Bay’s first run with a second-inning double off Mets starter Mike Pelfrey.

Kelly Shoppach had a run-scoring single in the seventh off Fernando Nieve, and the Rays tacked on a pair of unearned runs to make 4-0 in the eighth.

The Rays improved to 20-8-2 this spring and will close out their exhibition schedule at Triple-A Durham on Saturday. They also had the top spring training record in the majors two years ago, when they went on appear in the World Series.

(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow. Rays 4, Mets 2. SUBS headline to correct score to 4-2)